Watson

(NSW)

NSW Southern Suburbs

Very Safe Labor 17.3%

Election Result

MP

The retiring MP is Labor's Leo McLeay, who has held this seat since 1993, having previously represented neighbouring Grayndler 1979-93. Currently the longest serving Labor MP, McLeay is a former Labor Party organiser, well known as one of the key arm twisters for Paul Keating and Laurie Brereton in their days with Young Labor. An Alderman on Marrickville Council 1971-77, he was elected member for Grayndler in a 1979 by-election, transferring to Watson in 1993. He served as Speaker of the House of Representatives 1989-93, when he was nicknamed 'Leaping Leo' by the press gallery for his undynamic style. He resigned as speaker following an uproar surrounding compensation payment he received for injuries suffered from the collapse of a bicycle he hired from the Parliament House gym.

Profile

A compact 33 sq.km in Sydney's inner south-west suburbs, including Earlwood, Campsie, Belmore, Lakemba, Kingsgrove and Hurstville. John Howard's origins are in this electorate, growing up in the family home at Earlwood. Unfortunately for historians, the house has been replaced by a Kentucky Fried Chicken store.

History/Trivia

Named after John Christian (Chris) Watson, Australia's third and Labor's first Prime Minister, April to August 1904. Later in life he went on to form the NRMA. Born in Valparaiso, Chile, it may be he was never eligible to be an MP. During the 1890s depression, he worked for a time cleaning the stables at Government House in Sydney, so achieving the Prime Ministership was a substantial rise in status. A seat called Watson was created in 1934, but abolished in 1969, to be revived as the new name for St George in 1993.

2-Party Booth Result

Labor majorities were recorded in all 38 booths used at the 2001 election, ranging from 51.7% at Bardwell Park to 86.8% at Campsie. The Labor two-party vote passed 70% in 15 booths and 80% in five. Unity recorded 14.0% of the primary vote at Wiley Park Public School, the party's best result in the country.

Main Candidates

The new Labor candidate is Tony Burke, who until recently was a member of the NSW Legislative Council. He has given up an eight year term and guaranteed life pension for the uncertainty of the new no-frills Federal parliamentary superannuation scheme. Standing for the Liberal Party Keith Topolski, who having recently turned 20, is running for office at the first Federal election for which he is old enough to vote. Unfortunately, he lives outside of the electorate in Baulkham Hills, so is not able to vote for himself.